My name is Gill Thompson. I am the sister of David Clapson who died on the 20th July 2013 and I believe his death was a result of benefit sanctions.

David had Type 1 Diabetes and the Coroner's report stated that he died from fatal diabetic ketoacidosis and that there was no food in his stomach. The DWP were aware of his condition, yet sanctioned him for a month. David then had no money for electricity so was unable to chill his insulin or buy food. 

Whilst he died as a result of his diabetes, the sanctioning took away his lifeline. 

David Clapson

The vulnerable need care, not sanctioning 

Surely before sanctioning my brother the DWP should have sought professional medical advice, by doing so they would have had an idea of what the outcome of their actions could be.  

Diabetes is a serious condition, food and insulin are the key controllers in the survival of this condition, without food do you take your insulin and die of insulin shock, or not take your insulin and die of diabetic ketoacidosis ?.

“That was the choice my brother would have faced.”

Why am I asking for your support?

David’s death should and could have been avoided; he was vulnerable and needed support which, sadly, was not there.

The circumstances leading to David’s death have never been openly investigated. I would like to secure an inquest into the circumstances of David's death so that there is a full and public investigation into the impact of the sanctions on my brother, and whether the sanctions contributed to his death. To do this I need to instruct lawyers, apply for David’s records, pay fees for these records, and seek expert evidence to build the strongest case.

I cannot bring my brother back but feel this will be a fundamental precedent to ensure lessons are not just learnt, but are acted upon to prevent anymore needless suffering of the vulnerable in our society.

David's story

David was found dead in his flat in July 2013, he was 59 and died alone and penniless. David was very vulnerable yet had his £71.70 JSA allowance stopped for a month, penalised by the job centre for missing two meetings. He tried his best but was vulnerable, he had worked for over 30 years and CVs were found just feet from his body. 

The sanction left him unable to buy food, his electric key had ran out and he could not chill his insulin (temps at that time 30c +).

David was an ex-soldier

David was a quiet, private and proud man who never asked or wanted much; he never complained or told me or his friends he had been sanctioned. He was not a scrounger or skiver, he was simply unwell and vulnerable and needed the caring support rather than being sanctioned without a lifeline.

What actions have occurred so far

After David’s death, I wrote to the DWP and all the local party representatives. The Government say they followed procedures, and "that no errors were made…”.

It was then that I started my petition with Change.org gaining well over 200,000 signatures which helped to secure a Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry in March 2015, which came up with 26 recommendations. 

“The Government responded accepting some of the recommendations, but importantly not all. The Government have not accepted the need for an independent review, monitoring the destinations of sanctioned claims and investigating the deaths of benefit claimants. 

In addition, David’s story has been published in the local and national press, broadcast in ITV, C4 and BBC radio and TV.

Me and my brother David

Why support me?

The Welfare State was introduced to help the needy and most vulnerable people in our society – a safety net to ensure no harm or death comes to our citizens who fall on hard times.

The government say that sanctions are issued as a “last resort”, but have issued over a million to people with physical and mental disabilities and serious health conditions. 

Sanctions have been issued for missed appointments, being late for an appointment, having to attend important appointments (i.e. hospital, doctors and even funerals) – these are not criminal offences and surely do not deserve such harsh, cruel and draconian punishments.

Did anyone take into consideration David’s life threatening condition when issuing the sanction? Did anyone check his file to really understand the serious effect of stopping his benefit leaving him no longer in control of his diabetes?

I am asking please for your support to fund my attempt to secure an Investigation/Inquest into the circumstances of David's death and the role of benefit sanctions in his death.

Whilst I cannot bring my brother back, I feel this Inquiry will prove a key factor to ensure lessons are not just learnt but are acted upon in order to prevent more needless suffering.

I am being represented by Merry Varney of Leigh Day Solicitors and Caoilfhionn Gallagher & Jesse Nicholls of Doughty Street Chambers.

David's memorial tree.

About the claimant

My name is Gill Thompson, I am the sister of David Clapson who died on 20th July 2013 and I believe his death was as a result of Benefit Sanctions.

Fast facts

What's at stake:

Investigating the impact of Britain's benefit sanctions 

The next steps:

Persuade the Attorney General that an Inquest should be held 

My solicitors:

Merry Varney of Leigh Day Solicitors and Caoilfhionn Gallagher of Doughty Street Chambers